(46c) General Route for the Preparation of Olefin Based Block-Copolymers

Block copolymers and their mesoscopic self-assembly remains a topic of intense research in polymer science. Potential applications of these materials includes separation, nanolithography, catalysis and plastic engineering. For the most part, block copolymers are produced by anionic or controlled radical polymerization, in which both polymerization techniques are not compatible with olefin monomers. Today, polyethylene and polypropylene account for more than 40% of the polymers produced worldwide. Therefore, developing an efficient synthesis route for the preparation of olefin-based block copolymers has high potential impact.

We will present a novel methodology that consists of converting any polyolefin made via catalytic polymerization into a macroinitiator compatible with anionic, ring opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. Our strategy yields olefin-based block copolymers with unprecedented structures. Finally, we will also present on the self-assembly and thermal properties of some of the materials.